BERN

or BERNE.—(1) Cap. Switzerland and of canton Berne (46° 57’ N,, 7° 26’ B.), situated on rocky peninsula, almost surrounded by riv. Aar; commands magnificent Alpine views of Bernese Oberland; principal buildings, Gothic Miinster, Federal Council Hall, univ., museum; bear pit (bern signifies a bear); textiles, mathematical instruments, musical boxes; made free imperial city (1218); federal cap. (1848). The city is the center of several international bureaus—(e.g.), Copyright Union, International Postal Union, ete. Pop. 91,000. ' (2) Canton, Switzerland; most populous and second largest in area; contains Bernese Oberland in §8.; mountain pine forests; fertile valleys; majority of inhabitants German-speaking Prot.; grain and cattle; watch making, wood carving. Area, 2,657 sq, m.; pop. 642,700. The Berne Convention, revised in 1908, secures reciprocity of copyright to the contracting countries. It applies to all great European countries except Austria Hungary, Ru ia, and Turkey, aud to Japan, ete. or SWEDEN,